PICTURES: See what Jaywick's once neglected roads look like now after £5million overhaul

The two-year project by Essex County Council was officially opened by council chairman John Aldridge, who cut a ribbon to declare the road network complete on Tuesday.

The works have seen 31 roads resurfaced in the Grassland and Brooklands area - officially listed as the most deprived in the country - as well as seafront roads in Jaywick village. Works were also carried out to improve drainage.

Mr Aldridge said: "The project is absolutely brilliant. It makes Jaywick an entirely different place from what it was ten years ago.

"It is a place where residents want to live and a place where people want to come and visit.

"That is a remarkable achievement and achieved at a very small price to change this community from being one that people deride to one where people want to be here."

• Ribbon-cutting: John Aldridge officially opens the scheme

Kevin Bentley, deputy leader at Essex County Council, said the improvements are part of the overall regeneration of the Jaywick, which could see Tendring Council construct the first new homes of the project later this year.

He added: "There are other things we are going to do in Jaywick, but I'm really proud of this - we are making a real difference to people's lives.

"This is just the start of a very great plan for Jaywick."

• Then: A pot-holed road in Brooklands

Mr Bentley added: “Last week, the council announced its new organisation strategy, which includes ambitions to helping create great places to grow up, live and work, and enable inclusive economic growth.

“This investment encourages both things and, just as importantly, addresses specific concerns that the residents raised more than two years ago. This is a great stride forward and proof that Essex continues to invest in its infrastructure.

“We are always ready to step in to support our economy and help it to flourish.

"This great project is clear evidence of this; working closely with residents, our highway engineering teams and Tendring Council.”

Then: Humber Avenue in Brooklands

Tendring Council contributed £1.5million to the cost of the works, which was carried out by Ringway Jacobs and the John Henry Group, which were praised for keeping disruption to a minimum and engaging with residents.

Neil Stock, leader of the district council, said: “Jaywick Sands is on the up and we’re delighted to play our part in it.

"By working together the regeneration of Jaywick Sands is going from strength to strength and making a real difference to the lives of local residents.”

Then: Sea Flowers Way in Jaywick

Residents groups welcomed the works for improving the look of the area.

Raymond Hansen, chairman of the Jaywick Forum, said that when he first moved to the area 25 years ago, parts of Brooklands and Grassland were considered 'no-go' areas.

"The pot holes were deeper than the diameter of some car wheels," he said.

"Repeated attempts were made to secure funding to improve the condition of the roads, but we were repeatedly told they are private roads and not the responsibility of the council."

Now: Sea Flowers Way in Jaywick

He added: "With a great deal of work being done by Tendring Council to ensure that the standard of local homes is improved, former council leader Mick Page and councillor Paul Honeywood managed to secure a large budget of £5million to permit all the roads in the area to not only be repaired, but rebuilt.

"Shortly after the first few roads were completed, I was escorting a group of businesses executives around the area and the lasting memory of that day was seeing one lady tending the area in front of her house, planting new flowers.

"She told me that it was now worth doing."

• NOW: Essex Avenue, Brooklands, Jaywick

Ian Davidson, chief executive of Tendring Council, said "the community believed in the project" and could see the start of the regeneration of Jaywick - and so could investors who are being encouraged to invest in the area.

Essex County Council said that with the school holiday period now under way, remaining minor works will be finished off in September, allowing unimpeded access to the area during the summer season weeks.